TODAY: Correa told MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart and other reporters that he “woke up today feeling really good….It gave me a lot of confidence moving forward.” An official decision on his ALDS status won’t be known until he works out with the team next week, but “the way I woke up today, if the playoff started tomorrow, I’d probably be in the lineup,” Correa said.
YESTERDAY: The Astros shut down shortstop Carlos Correa for the rest of the regular season because of a back issue on Thursday. The hope then was that Correa would return for the start of the playoffs next week. That could still happen, but it doesn’t sound like a certainty at this point. Whether Correa will be ready for the American League Division Series will depend on how his back responds to workouts next week, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle writes.
“We’re going to have to see him do a lot of stuff between now and next Friday,” said general manager Jeff Luhnow, who noted it’s “hard to tell” if Correa’s back problems have worsened in the past week. Regardless, if the Astros aren’t confident in Correa’s health when the ALDS rolls around, they’ll “most likely” leave him off their roster, according to Luhnow.
The spot currently ticketed for Correa may end up going to rookie third baseman Abraham Toro, per Rome. And third baseman/AL MVP candidate Alex Bregman would perhaps handle shortstop, something he has had to do far more often than the Astros were hoping for this season. Correa’s regular season ended with just 75 games played on account of multiple injuries. The 25-year-old sat out from May 27 until July 26 with a fractured rib and then missed Aug. 20-Sept. 15 thanks to his back, which still won’t seem to heal.
The fact that the Astros will ultimately go without Correa 87 times during the regular season and possibly still finish with the majors’ best record is a testament to the overall strength of their roster. So, even if Correa’s not available come playoff time, Houston still figures to enter the proceedings with as good a chance as anyone to take home a World Series title. Obviously, though, a healthy Correa would only enhance the Astros’ odds of winning their second championship since 2017.
He might be only 24 but Correa has had only 1 healthy legit season out of his first 5. Concerning.
Yes that’s true. But hopefully as is usually the case the lower back is a young man’s injury. As he gets older like the rest of us he’ll learn how to manage and keep his lower back healthy. Fingers crossed for the man.
I used to have back issues playing basketball in my early twenties mid-20s and knock on wood haven’t had a single problem the last 25 years.
Wait, I need to sound younger. Let me change that to, I haven’t had any problems the last five years, lol.
Lower back issues are definitely not a younger man’s issue.
Yeah that’s crazy. Maybe you’re referring to your own personal experience. Maybe you aren’t as aggressively active and therefore avoiding activity that hurts your back.
His massage definitely did not result in a happy ending.
Call Bob Kraft
Awe, baby got back!
Next season, when he is healthy and showing any productivity, I trade him for as much as I can get.
Unless you’re the Padres you won’t be able to pull off with decent return for him.
The Astros will enjoy two more seasons and a QO. It’s still a great deal.
When healthy, he’s amazing. But he’s never healthy. I would love to see the astros explore a possible trade to bring in pitching.
I fully agree.
Correa for Betts. Who says no?
Astros easily
Two years of Correa would come out to about 100 or so games of elite production. One year of Betts would give you about 300 games of elite production, albeit at a less valuable position than SS. Acquiring Correa would allow the Sox to move Boegarts to 3B and Devers to first. Betts would more than replace Reddick. The Astros could sign Donaldson or Moustakas on a one year, keep Bregman at SS.
This offseason will be critical if the Astros want to keep the window open. Last offseason, getting Brantley was genius but this year they’ll need to be even more savvy. Maybe take some bigger risks.
Donaldson’s not going to be signing a one year deal.
We don’t NEED Betts. With Reddick our regular, we’ve won 310 games in 3 seasons. Our window shows NO signs of closing.
Was that a mistake?
2 years of Correa equals about 100 games of elite production while one year of Betts equals 300?
Anyway, there are several problems with your suggestion
1) Why would they trade 2 years of control for one year of more expensive control at a position that is already too crowded?
2) The Astros already have their top 4 outfielders becoming FA after 2020. Why would they add a 5th?
3) No team would trade for an MVP calibur player in his prime without expecting or at least hoping to sign him to an extension. The Astros need to do everything in their power to try and sign Cole and Then Springer.
Betts may (or may not) be better than Springer, but George is the leader and soul of this team. Plus the Astros have Tucker who can step into right field but no everyday replacement in center.
Neither will Moose. Back to back years of production someone should have signed him to a two or three year deal by now. He’ll have a bigger market than that this offseason. Maybe even back with the Brewers but not on a one year pact
Astros window looks pretty wide open to me. I love the Cardinals and it’s hard to complain we’ve been blessed or lucky or whatever. But letting Luhnow walk was a mistake. Should’ve made an extra position and title like other teams had to open the position. Ahead of the league curve in most areas but behind in that one and it cost us. Amazing the moves he’s made in Houston. I thought Verlanders career was closing in Detroit towards the end. Wrong. Thought Cole was just an overrated top of the rotation guy. Wrong. Smart move to take on Grienke and his salary he’s not slowing down. The Cubs built in similar fashion haven’t had near the success in adding to the young core. Depleting from it without adding near the production the Astros have with it. Hats off to them they’re scary good
As talented as he is, his career will be an overall bust because he just can’t stay on the field. It’s unfortunate.
Yu Darvish is another.
He may not live up to his MVP potential, but he is definitely not a bust. He averages 4 WAR per year, while only playing 110 games per year.
Bust is Chris Davis or Appel.
Bust is certainly not a word I’d use to describe Correa. While I agree he’s showing some bad signs in the injury department I think just writing him off for 100+ games a season going forward is extreme.
Extreme, perhaps . . . but expecting he will continue to miss similarly or even slightly less is not extreme, and that’s still a lot. Reasonable at this point to expect Correa to spend over a month on the DL each season. He should be the star of this team. Without his defense in 2017 postseason, particularly a couple of outstanding relay throws (his best skill by far) we win no world series. Same thing for Bregman at 3rd in 2017 postseason. Surgical throws to the plate, key to advancing and winning.
Back tightness, muscles that stay in a constant spasm in the low back . . . nerve root compression is happening. Correa is likely going through rigorous decompression therapy.